(Instructions Given for Swift Implementation of Budget announcements, Rs.200 crores allocated for conservation of Shekhawati havelis)
TTT NEWS NETWORK
JAIPUR | 11 MARCH 2026
A review meeting related to various subjects, schemes, and the implementation of budget announcements of the Tourism, Art & Culture, and Archaeology Departments was held on Wednesday at Tourism Bhawan. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Tourism, Art, Literature & Culture, and Archaeology Diya Kumari.
The meeting was attended by Rajasthan Heritage Authority Chairman Omkar Singh Lakhawat and Additional Chief Secretary for Tourism, Art, Literature & Culture, and Archaeology Praveen Gupta.
During the review meeting, the Deputy Chief Minister, Ms. Diya Kumari directed officials to ensure the rapid implementation of pending budget announcements for the financial years 2024–25 and 2025–26. She also instructed that a clear timeline be prepared for the budget announcements of FY 2026–27, and that DPRs (Detailed Project Reports) and cost proposals be prepared in coordination with the concerned executing agencies to proceed with further action.
Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari instructed officials to organize Rajasthan Day Week from March 14 to March 19 across the state with full grandeur. Regional folk arts should be showcased prominently during the celebrations, with the aim of highlighting the state’s rich art and culture and making the Rajasthan Day celebrations successful.
She also noted that November 18, 2027 will mark 300 years since the establishment of Jaipur. For this occasion, she directed officials to prepare a comprehensive action plan and make necessary preparations to celebrate it as a grand festival.
In line with the FY 2026–27 budget announcements, Diya Kumari instructed that dance festivals based on famous regional dance forms be organized at the divisional level across the state. This initiative will provide local folk artists a platform at the regional level and also offer tourists an opportunity to experience the local folk culture.
The Deputy Chief Minister also directed that the Tourism Department, in partnership with private stakeholders, should start Day and Night Bus Tours in Jaipur to facilitate sightseeing for tourists. She instructed officials to prepare a plan for operating luxury buses decorated with grand images of tourist monuments.
While reviewing the Tourist Assistance Force, she directed that refresher courses be organized for guides so they can provide accurate information about local art, culture, and history. Guides should receive professional training from experts in culture and history so that tourists can get authentic knowledge about historical and cultural heritage during their visits.
She also instructed officials to expedite work on the tourism department’s mobile app and web portal, and ensure that important information related to the Tourist Assistance Force is included on these platforms.
The Deputy Chief Minister also issued necessary directions for the swift implementation of major tourism initiatives, including the Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit, Pushkar Project, and Tribal Tourist Circuit.
While reviewing the Art, Literature & Culture and Archaeology Department, she sought updates on the conservation work of the Shekhawati havelis and directed officials to accelerate the work. She also instructed officials to prepare a cluster-based action plan for conservation work under the FY 2026–27 budget announcement.
Notably, the state government has allocated Rs.200 crore in the FY 2026–27 budget for the conservation of Shekhawati havelis.
She also reviewed the progress of conservation and restoration work of 11 identified stepwells (baoris) in the state and instructed that restoration work should strictly follow the original architectural design and similar materials.
Diya Kumari stated that the Government of India is working intensively to preserve and promote the country’s and the state’s art, culture, and history, and the state government is also moving forward with the same commitment. She added that by connecting with initiatives like the “Mera Gaon – Meri Dharohar” portal, local cultural characteristics are receiving a global platform.
She also reviewed in detail the work being done for the preservation of manuscripts and archival records in the state and directed officials to carry this work forward seriously to its completion.
The Deputy Chief Minister also discussed the renovation of the Jaipur Kathak Centre, and reviewed the upgradation plans for Jawahar Kala Kendra, Shilpgram, and Ravindra Rangmanch in Jaipur, providing necessary directions.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Secretary (Art, Literature & Culture and Archaeology) Anuradha Gogiya, Additional Director Tourism Anand Tripathi, Additional Director Tourism Pawan Jain, Joint Director Tourism Rajesh Sharma, Joint Director Tourism Dalip Singh Rathore, Director Archaeology Department Pankaj Dharendra, Rajasthan Heritage Authority CEO Ram Ratan Sharma, Director Rajasthan State Archives Bikaner Chandrasen Shekhawat, Secretary Rajasthan Sahitya Akademi, Secretary Jaipur Kathak Centre Shruti Mishra, Rajasthani Language, Literature & Culture Academy Bikaner Sharad Kevalia, Director Rajasthan Sanskrit Academy Jaipur Dr. Lata Shrimali, Secretary Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Akademi Gomti Sharma, and other concerned officials.
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